When you go to the animal shelter can you get a 'pet' instantly or do you have to wait a few days? How long does the process last? Do you have to be 18?
2007-09-01 03:54:59 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
It depends on the shelter. Usually you do have to be 18 or have your parents with you. Usually, you have to fill out a questionnaire and demonstrate that you know the responsibility you're taking on. (You have to answer questions about how much you expect to pay each month for food and general care, how much you expect to pay for routine veterinarian fees, like shots and examinations). You also have to pay an adoption fee. Sometimes the shelter wants to visit your house to see if you have a fenced yard (if you're getting a dog). I adopted my cat from the local Humane Society and got him that day, after I filled out the forms and paid the fee.
Shelters will also tell you that if you find you can't properly take care of the animal, you can usually bring it back, but you do not get any refunds of any fees you've paid.
ALSO -- if you're adopting a kitten or puppy, you have to sign a form agreeing to have the animal spayed or neutered within a certain amount of time. They will give you a voucher that covers the fee for the surgery, so it usually costs you nothing or is so reasonable, just about anyone can afford it.
2007-09-01 04:03:34 · answer #1 · answered by Resident Heretic 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That depends on the shelter. Their goal is to find new homes for abandoned/unwanted animals and reduce the homeless pet population...it shouldn't be like a pet store where anyone with enough money to pay the adoption fee can walk in, pick out a pet, and then take it home all in a matter of an hour or two. Most good shelters do make you wait a few days (usually less than a week). This gives you a little time to think about the responsibility (cuts back a little on impulse adoptions) you are taking on, get your house prepared for the new arrival, and gives the shelter time to have their vet look over the animal to make sure it's healthy, spayed/neutered, and up to date on shots before sending them to a new home. In some cases, it also gives them a chance to do a background check/check your references (most shelters don't do an extensive check, but my local shelter does do a criminal background check as well as look into references when people adopt breeds commonly targeted for illegal activities such as pit bulls).
Yes, in most locals you do have to be 18 to legally adopt a pet. People under the age of 18 are very rarely financially able to handle a pet all on their own. Also, minors are more likely than adults to adopt a pet impulsively, get bored or frustrated with it, and dump it back at the shelter in a few months.
2007-09-01 11:20:59 · answer #2 · answered by ainawgsd 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the shelter.. in most of ours you have to own your own house to get a dog (and since most people under 18 don't own them.. I'd say you'd have difficulty).. Cats for some reason tend to be easier to get.. (too easy in some cases), but I think you'd still need to be 18 since they make you sign a contract.. The standard contract states that you will get vet care for the animal regularly, and that if for some reason you cannot keep the animal you give it back to them.. (you will not get your money back however)..
2007-09-01 11:53:25 · answer #3 · answered by kaijawitch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you generally have to be 18 because you generally have to sign contracts (which would be invalid if signed by a minor).
otherwise, the rest depends on the shelter & what their requirements are. mine makes you wait until the animal is fixed, usually a day after being adopted. (we also require parental permission if you live with your folks, even if over 18. no one needs to get attached to a new animal just to have them kick it out a few days later.)
kudos to you for going to a shelter! thanks for thinking of saving an animal's life! hope you're able to get what you'd like.
2007-09-01 11:37:07 · answer #4 · answered by sleepycatz1972 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u normally have 2 b 18 because there r contracts u have 2 sign and there is usually a fee. and they normally let u take the pet home whenever u want. if u have multiple pets and need 4 them 2 meet eachother it is normally better 2 have them meet a few times b4 bringing home the new pet just 2 make sure they get along.
2007-09-01 11:51:56 · answer #5 · answered by hne_sne_sne 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know for sure, but I would assume you would have to be 18. My friend just got one, and he filled out a few pieces of paperwork, was interviewed, and was allowed to pick up the dog the next day.
They are very inclusive into your living arrangements and lifestyle. The animals have ended up there mainly because someone else couldn't care for them, and they want to make sure you will be able to.
Good luck
2007-09-01 11:24:03 · answer #6 · answered by belle 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if you have to be 18, but you should be able to take the animal right away, for a small few. Because the animals that nobody takes will be put to sleep. That's so sad =(
2007-09-01 11:03:13 · answer #7 · answered by Natasha P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋